which is the smallest country in the world by population
The smallest country in the world by population is Vatican City , with roughly 500–900 residents depending on the estimate and year.
Quick Scoop
- Country: Vatican City (Holy See)
- Estimated population range: About 500–900 people, with many recent sources clustering around ~500 residents.
- Location: An independent city‑state enclaved within Rome, Italy.
- Fun fact: Vatican City is both the smallest by area (about 0.44–0.49 square km) and the least populous sovereign country in the world.
Why Vatican City Is So Small
- It exists primarily as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church, not as a conventional residential nation.
- Most residents are clergy, officials, Swiss Guard, and a few lay workers; many people who work there actually live in Rome and commute in.
In Recent News and Discussions
- Recent population lists and infographics on “least populated countries” consistently place Vatican City at the very bottom, just below Monaco and Nauru.
- Geography forums and travel blogs often highlight Vatican City as a trivia favorite because it tops both “smallest by area” and “smallest by population” rankings at the same time.
Tiny Countries Close Behind
Here is a quick look at other very small countries by population (numbers rounded and may vary slightly by source and year):
| Country | Approx. population | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Vatican City | ~500–900 residents | [7][1][9]Europe (enclaved in Rome) | [10]
| Tokelau (NZ territory) | ~1,500 people | [5]Pacific/Oceania | [5]
| Niue (NZ-associated) | ~1,900 people | [5]Pacific/Oceania | [5]
| Nauru | ~12,700–13,000 people | [3][5]Pacific/Oceania | [3]
| Tuvalu | ~11,000–12,000 people | [5]Pacific/Oceania | [5]
TL;DR
The answer to “which is the smallest country in the world by population” is Vatican City , and it also holds the title for the smallest country by land area.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.